ella

enge ac

ng into a smug smirk. Before I could even process her words, sh

caught me off guard, and

atch me?" I yelped, my fingers instinctively touching the spot. I could feel

she added, "But since you brought it up..." She made an exaggerated purring sound that sent

fistful of my hair. I clawed at her hand, trying to free my

learly proud of her childish insult. My face burned wit

d lose her grip on my hair. "How is that for middle school?" I s

regret that," she hissed, her eyes narrowing. She grabbed at me

to her stomach, I forced her to let go. She doubled over but w

egan, but before she could

until she crashed into a table. The vase on it wobbled as if it wa

, their curious faces turned toward us. "Oops," I said mockingly, feigning innoc

opped to the floor, clutching her stomach like she ha

w?" I threw up my hands. "You are reall

r the crowd. "Help! Someone, please! Arabella's gone c

nger, playing the victim so convinci

lled, but my voice was shakin

ere?" A familiar, commanding

on a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. His presence

..I was just minding my own business when Arabella attacked me out of nowhere!"

g with exasperation as I pointed at he

cratch on my cheek. "Shut it, Moana," he barked, his voice firm. He stepped closer

y different reasons now. His attention lingered on my nec

brooking no argument. The crowd dispersed rel

his voice ice-col

ha, I..." she started, but his sharp snarl silenced her. Sh

nreadable, a mix of concern and something deeper. "Did she hurt you

ltered slightly. I couldn't ignore the elec

isper. He took my hand and led me towards his office. His

see," he murmured, tilting my chin up to examine the scratch on my chee

with this," he said, his voice

s with a gentleness that caught me off guard. His touch lingered

oing?" I whispered, m

d not sleep last night," he confessed, his voice thick w

were on mine. The world seemed t